Table of contents
Introduction
June 14, 1952, is one Saturday that should be ear-marked for mention in the many memorable moments of VFL/AFL history. One of those moments was the first VFL game played for premiership points in Sydney since 1904.
(This article is heavily based on James Taylors original post One Wet Day in June on www.yellowandblack.com.au.)
The Propaganda Round
It is rare for AFL/VFL games to be played away from their regular venues, but in the early years of the VFL three games had been played in Sydney in an attempt to popularise the Rules game, two were played in 1903 and one in 1904 when Essendon and Melbourne had to return to Melbourne by boat.
In the 48 years between 1904 and 1952, there had been two world wars, and telephones, radios and motor cars now abounded. In that time five teams had joined the VFL (Richmond, University, Footscray, Hawthorn and North Melbourne) and one, University, had left.
Collingwood’s team for their one game in Sydney in 1903 had included Jock McHale in his first year as a player. McHale played with Collingwood until 1920 and coached the team from 1912-49 The distance between premiership matches in Sydney was even longer that McHale was at Collingwood.
It was on this day, 14th June 1952, (Round 8), that for the first time all VFL matches were played outside of Melbourne while an interstate match between Victoria and Western Australia took place on the MCG.
Well, that was the plan, which was to see Geelong playing Essendon in Brisbane as a night game; Fitzroy and Melbourne contesting in Hobart; Euroa hosting the Carlton-Hawthorn clash; North Melbourne-South Melbourne meeting in Albury; Footscray and St Kilda journeying down to Yallourn while Richmond faced up to the Old Enemy, Collingwood, on the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Old Man Winter, however, had different ideas and though most games went as planned and the Tigers and Pies slogged it out in wet conditions in the Harbour Town, a five inch downpour proved too much in Brisbane and the ground authorities forced the match to be postponed until the Monday evening when, it was hoped, conditions would be more conducive both to football and encouraging Brisbanites to attend. And, indeed, the Brisbane people did not disappoint as the crush of spectators broke down the fence of the old Exhibition ground in their determination to pack into the ground.
There were grumbles from many football lovers about being "robbed" of a game by the VFL but the truth was that this fixture had been arranged by the Australian National Football Council in a "laudable attempt to 'spread the gospel' of Australian Rules football in the Northern States and to acquiesce in the desire of certain country centres of Victoria to see a full-blooded game of football by leading League clubs." (The Football Record) So that year saw a 19-game season instead of the usual 18 matches. As an extra fillip, the ANFC also picked up the tab on all travel expenses so that neither the VFL nor the twelve clubs were out of pocket.
Season and Lead-up
Much was made of the Collingwood-Richmond clash in an endeavour to rouse the curiosity of the Sydneysiders. On the first time that clubs would be playing for vital premiership points in Sydney, Hobart, Brisbane and in Victorian country towns, Argus football writer, Hugh Buggy, who was in Sydney, wrote that
'''Rugby-minded Sydney is expecting something between a gladiatorial combat and a commando raid when Collingwood meet Richmond on the Sydney Cricket-ground today.
''Dodgers and publicity placards through the city carry the message 'this is not an exhibition game. This is the real thing. This is fierce red-blooded Australian football. No quarter given or asked.
''For the first time in Sydney's history those who like our football can see in hotel bars, in clubs, and in shops, pictures of some of the famous marks of Dick Lee and Bob Pratt. It certainly has set Sydney talking. . .
''Broadcasts on our game are being given over seven radio stations, and the commentators include Richmond coach Jack Dyer.
''On Thursday night Dyer was on the air with a bloodthirsty message that played up the rigors of Australian football.
''Yesterday Dyer gave a lunch-hour address in which he let himself go in typical Dyer fashion. He talked about mowing Collingwood down, about going through opposing players and about applying weight fiercely but scientifically.
''A.N.F.C. officials hope to attract between 40.000 and 50,000 to the match.
''In another footballing first, the public was informed that "Melbourne football broadcasters Ron Casey and George Andrew will set a precedent for wide coverage in the radio world today when they broadcast two football matches from two different States (on the same day).
After broadcasting the Collingwood v. Richmond match in Sydney this afternoon they will fly to Brisbane to broadcast a description of the Essendon-Geelong game played under lights.
Teams
Both Teams had key players playing in the Interstate game against Western Australia. Collingwood lost Thorold Merrett and Bob Rose while Richmond lost key follower Roy Wright who was in the process of winning the 1952 Brownlow medal.
Collingwood
Bill Tebble - 1952 Kornies Footballers in Action - Source: Australian Rules Football Cards
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George Hams - 1952 Kornies Footballers in Action - Source: Australian Rules Football Cards
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Collingwood’s most experinced players were Neil Mann, Lou Richards and Bill Twomey and two of their starting 18 had played 10 games or less, Jack Hickey and Roy Williams.
Replacements -
R. Richards (C'wood) exhaustion by Coghlan;
Hams (C'wood) ankle by Parker;
Richmond
Note: Team lists from The Argus 13.6.1952 p9 include O'Rourke at full forward, but AFL tables records Peter Schofield as actually playing the game. The team shown above just replaces O'Rourke with Schofield.)
Kevin Betson played his first VFL game and was one of eight Tigers who had played 10 or less games, and one of seven in the starting eighteen. Col Austen, Max Oppy and Bill Wilson were the hundred gamers and Ray Poulter with 99 would join the hundred club the following week.
Replacements -
Geard (R'mond) shoulder by Ritchie; H.Rowe (R'mond) eye by Schofield
Links for Player Pages
Reference_ 1952 R8 Richmond v Collingwood - In Sydney - Collingwood
Reference_ 1952 R8 Richmond v Collingwood - In Sydney - Richmond
The Sydney Match
Whatever were the thoughts behind the tactics of the two opposing teams in Sydney, things didn't quite turn out the way expected.
Again, Hugh Buggy summed up the game in The Argus, 16th June:
''Whipped by steady, driving rain and a chilly wind. 24,174 Sydney football fans paid £3,943 to watch Collingwood trounce Richmond by six goals at Sydney Cricket ground.
''On a similar drenching afternoon in Melbourne a game between these two clubs, would not have attracted a very much larger attendance to Victoria Park or the Punt rd. ground.
On Sydneysiders perception of the game:
''A curious rather than critical Rugby-minded crowd gave the game the kindest reception it has ever enjoyed here.
''Many of Saturday's crowd, who had been brought up on Rugby, went to sneer, but remained, if not to praise, at least to analyse keenly.
''Hard-boiled Sydney, a little mystified, watched the Australian football code on Saturday without any of the bloodthirsty pleasantries we know so well.
''Sydney sporting journalists, who have always looked on our game as a mere rabble game, now say they have found some method in it.
''Members of the N.S.W. Rugby League were even more flattering. They said that they were amazed at the non-stop action and high marking.
''They readily admitted that the game had its attractive features."
The Age, June 16, was more scathing of Richmond's efforts:
''Collingwood's winning margin was 36 points, but its win was far easier than the scores indicated.
''Both teams handled the ball badly in the slushy conditions but, in the main, it was the hopeless failure of the Richmond forwards that accounted for the one-sided display.
''Full-back Hamilton and half-back Lucas stood out in a defence which left the Richmond forwards standing.
''Repeatedly the Richmond centre line drove the ball forward into the hands of opponents while their forwards were yards behind, out of position, or on the wrong foot.
''Richmond half-back flanker Col Austen was the best man on the ground. Steady and cool, he was a dominating figure, particularly in the second and third quarters when the rest of his side fell to pieces.
''The sudden collapse of the Richmond side in the second term was all the more disappointing after it had held Collingwood down to 2.1 to 1.2 in the first quarter.
''The Magpies were in complete control in the second term and, despite the sterling defence of Austen, and to a lesser degree Oppy and Dillon, slammed on 6.5 to nil.
''Matters evened up in the second half when the game degenerated into a muddy scramble. The Tiger forwards were unable to break clear, despite frequent long drives from their half-back line.
''In the dying stages of the game, the Richmond forwards developed a short-passing game which allowed them to put on three goals.
But the Magpies had the game well won, and that brief flash of intelligent forward play only came through the tolerance of Collingwood's muddy and tired defence.
Scores
S.C.G.
Sat, 14-Jun-1952
Crowd: 24,174
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| Richmond | 1.2 (8) | 1.2 (8) | 2.3 (15) | 5.6 (36) |
| Collingwood | 2.1 (13) | 8.6 (54) | 9.7 (61) | 10.12 (72) |
| Difference | CW by 5 | CW by 46 | CW by 46 | CW by 36 |
Goals -
Collingwood: Davey 3, Williams 2, Dunstan, P.Twomey, R.Richards, Tuck.
Richmond: Hogan 2, Ednie, Boland, Schofield.
Best -
Collingwood: W.Twomey, Davey, Hams, Lucas, Hamilton, Healey.
Richmond: Austen, Oppy, Hogan, Cox, Dillon, Spring.
Umpire: Jamieson.
Match Previews
Our men will show Sydney. (1952, June 14). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 1. Retrieved May 14, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23194524
Match Reviews
The Age 16-Jun-1952 p12
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v65VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GcQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7096%2C5126424
Collingwood Left Tigers Stranded In Sydney Mud. (1952, June 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 7. Retrieved May 14, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23182692
Photos
Argus 16-Jun-1952 p14
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Sunday Herald (Sydney) 15-Jun-1952 p5s
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The Aftermath
In Richmond's case it can only be said that the team had a shorter break between matches than did Collingwood, who played on the Saturday whereas Richmond played on the Monday public holiday. Also it would seem that the Tigers missed their State reps more than Collingwood did theirs. Perhaps the day did not suit the heavy body of Poulter; perhaps the decision to replace the high-flying O'Rourke with Ednie was a miscalculation as the Collingwood men seemed to hold their marks. Or maybe, and I hate to admit this, it was because the Pies prepared much better for the big occasion.
It would be 27 years before the next VFL game was played at the S.C.G. for premiership points, until Hawthorn staged a second half comeback to down North Melbourne in Round 10, 1979. It would not be until 1981 that the Swans would relocate to Sydney beginning the transformation of the VFL into a national competition.